Toolbox Talk

Working Near Water

When working near water certain risks need to be Key points:
taken into consideration and therefore precautions
need to be put into place.  Lone working must be avoided at all
These precautions are: times
 Appropriate risk assessments should be
 To prevent anyone entering the water. drawn up
 If someone enters the water, to ensure that  Is it possible to do the work away from
they will float and are rescued in the shortest water?
possible time.
It is essential, when working on or near water that
safe systems of work are in place through risk as-
sessments, Personal, Protective Equipment (if
deemed necessary) and that everyone on site is
properly instructed.

Main causes for entering the water: Possible Risks:

 Shock from sudden immersion in
 Slips trips and falls.
cold water.
 Falls from height.
 Weight of waterlogged clothing.
 Person being knocked over by moving object
 Life jacket not being worn (or not
or person.
inflating).
 Loss of balance.
 Incapacity following injury – caused
 Failure or absence of edge barrier.
by striking an object during a fall, or
 Failure or absence of fall prevention equip-
whilst in the water.
ment.
 Fatigue or hypothermia where rescue
 Floating platforms or vessels sinking or incor-
is not immediate.
rectly secured.

Precautions: Use of Life Jackets:

 Whenever reasonably practicable fixed edge  Check that the life jacket inspection
protection must be provided to prevent peo- is in date. Life jackets should be
ple falling into water. inspected every 2 years.
 Where edge barriers are not reasonably prac-
 If the life jacket self-inflates, check
ticable at exposed edges, e.g. quay edges, ap-
that the canister is in place and has
propriate warning signs and/or edge mark-
the green window showing.
ings should be displayed to highlight the
danger.  Make sure you receive instruction
 Wearing of life jackets. on how to put the life jacket on.
 Have throw lines/lifebouys at the work site.  Make sure you tighten the straps
 Standby safety/rescue boat present as re- for a good fit.
quired.
 Ensure there is a suitable location to retrieve
a person who has fallen into the water.